What Does The Number 70 Mean In The Bible?
The number 70 appears throughout the Bible and is often used as a symbolic representation of God’s perfect and complete nature. From the creation of the world in the book of Genesis to the prophecies of the prophets in the book of Revelation, the number 70 has a special meaning that is worth exploring.
The 70-member ‘Great Council’ of ancient Israel serves as an example of the number’s significance. This council, also known as the Sanhedrin, was the highest religious governing body in the land. At its height, with 70 members gathered together to make decisions, the Sanhedrin had great power and gave great import to the number 70.
In the book of Genesis, the number 70 is also seen in the list of the nations of the world and their families (Genesis 10:31 and Genesis 10:32). According to the prophet Amos, 70 shepherds were appointed by the Lord to look over His unique flock (Amos 5:34).
In the books of Daniel and Revelation, the number 70 appears when describing the persecution of the holy people of Israel. These books refer to ’70 weeks’ (Daniel 9:24) and ’70 times 7′ (Revelation 12:6) as periods of intense suffering and persecution directed toward believers in the Lord.
In the gospel of Matthew, the number 70 is used to refer to the number of disciples Jesus sent out in pairs to evangelize. This could be seen as a foreshadowing of the 70 nations of the world mentioned in the book of Genesis, symbolically representing the commission given by God to share His love and grace with the entire world.
In Jewish literature, the number 70 refers to the Jubilee Year. In this time, enslaved people were to be liberated and property was to be restored to its original owners. This was a time of restoration and reconciliation initiated by God, as well as a reminder to the people of their obligation to obey the Law.
The number 70 is a longstanding symbol of perfect completeness, in keeping with its perfect divisibility by seven. As the author of Genesis put it, “God has set eternity in the hearts of men,” implying that the number 70 is a representation of God’s infinite and enduring love that is meant to be shared with all people in the world.
God’s Covenanted People
The number 70 is significant in the Bible because it continually appears in relation to God’s covenanted people, Israel. Throughout the Old Testament, usages of the number 70 often refer to the people of Israel. For example in the book of Exodus, God describes how He chose Israel from among the 70 nations of the world (Exodus 34:11).
In an additional use of the number 70, Israel was called out from Egypt but only 70 of them were allowed to enter the promised land when it was conquered by Joshua. These 70 unknowingly fulfilled a promise made by God to Abraham hundreds of years before. This demonstrates the spectacular faithfulness of a God who keeps His promises throughout even the most challenging circumstances.
The number 70 also appears in Numbers 11:16-17 when the Lord appointed 70 elders to help Moses as he governed the people. This could be seen as a symbolic representation of God providing leadership, guidance, and protection to His people.
The number 70 is seen in other passages in relation to God’s relationship with His people, such as in the books of Deuteronomy and Jeremiah, which both refer to 70 years of suffering that Israel would have to endure. These passages demonstrate how the Lord is always with His people, granting them mercy in times of difficulty and granting them hope for a better future.
Finally, in the book of Acts, 70 of Jesus’ disciples are sent out on His behalf (Acts 10:2) and 70 men from the towns of Bethel, Jericho and Shechem pray for guidance in the temple (Acts 1:13-14). These instances show how God works through both the small and the mighty, empowering and guiding those who seek Him.
Revelations and Prophetic Significance
The book of Revelation, especially, is filled with references to the number 70 as a symbol of God’s promise to bring judgment on all who have turned away from Him. In Revelation 17:10-14, it is stated that there are seven kings that will be destroyed, which could be seen as a reference to the number 70 as a powerful statement of God’s judgment.
Similarly, the book of Revelation 11:2-3 mentions that the two witnesses will be given the power to prophesy for 1,260 days, a period of time equal to three and a half years, or seventy [sevens] of years. The reference to the number 70 in this passage could easily be interpreted as a symbolic reference to God’s perfect judgment on those who have disobeyed Him.
The prophet Zechariah also makes mention of the number 70 when discussing the gentiles coming to Zion, where he states that in the latter days seven nations shall be joined to the Lord (Zechariah 9:7). This could be seen as an additional example of the prophetic significance of the number 70.
The mention of the number 70 in the Bible stands as a powerful symbol of the faithfulness of a God whose perfect love can conquer even the most impossible circumstances. From the creation of the world to the prophecies of the end times, the number 70 appears as a reminder of the infinite power of Jesus Christ.
Examples In Everyday Life
Although the number 70 may be associated with Divine connotations, its significance is not limited to a spiritual context only. In fact, when used in everyday life, the number 70 can stand as a powerful reminder of the power of time and the importance of always striving to make the most of our lives.
For example, for a salesperson who is trying to reach certain goals, setting the goal of generating 70 leads in a month can be seen as a way of symbolizing the emphasis placed on hard work and dedication in reaching the goal. Similarly, for a college student, studying for 70 minutes every day could be seen as a way of emphasizing the importance of a rigorous, disciplined approach to learning.
Finally, for those who are looking for a sign of encouragement in difficult times, the number 70 can serve as an important reminder that God is always with them, no matter the challenges and setbacks they may face. As the Psalms say, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” (Psalm 37:5).
Honoring 70 Bible Verses
Another way of honoring the significance of the number 70 is through memorizing 70 Bible verses. Memorizing Scripture can be a powerful tool for personal transformation and a rich source of guidance, comfort and strength.
For example, the book of Psalm 23 is one of the most well-known and beloved passages in the Bible. It offers peace, comfort and assurance to all who read it. Similarly, John 3:16 is an important reminder of the love that God had for us in sending His only Son, Jesus Christ. Finally, Proverbs 3:5-6 is a powerful call to trust in the Lord and to not rely on our own understanding.
By memorizing 70 verses, those who do so can draw on the power of Scripture to comfort them during hard times and to guide them through difficult decisions. Additionally, for those who are seeking spiritual insight, memorizing 70 verses can help them to grow closer to God and to better understand His will for their lives.
Conclusion
The number 70 carries special meaning in the Bible and in everyday life. Its repeated references throughout scripture stand as a reminder of God’s perfect love and faithfulness, and its various usages in everyday life can serve as symbolic reminders of a life lived intentionally and with purpose. Finally, the act of memorizing 70 Bible verses stands as a powerful way to honor the significance of the number 70 and to grow in one’s faith.
